Video: 'The Real Buddy Holly Story (1987)'

(Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 1936; during the Great Depression) — American singer, songwriter, and musician Buddy Holly, who was a central and pioneering figure of rock and roll, was born Charles Hardin Holley to a musical family today in Lubbock, Texas.

Holly wrote and recorded many songs before his career was cut short by a fatal plane crash on Feb. 3, 1959. He was only 22 years old.

Video: 'Buddy Holly - Deluxe: Greatest Hits - Buddy' (20 clips)

Holly is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. He was a major influence on later popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, the Hollies, Elvis Costello, and Elton John.

Holly was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 13 in its list of 100 Greatest Artists in 2010.